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A twist on an old braid

May 24, 2012 By Hair Romance 36 Comments

This braided hairstyle is a twist on the Valentino braids seen at their S/S Paris show. Instead of the French braid, I’ve used a reverse braid, or Dutch braid.

With a French braid, hair is added over from each side as your plait the hair. It’s the reverse with this style as the hair is added underneath.

How to get the look

This style is made up of two reverse braids – one going clockwise and one going anti-clockwise. For a video of how I do this style of braid, please see Hair Romance TV episode 4 – side braided hairstyle.

The first braid starts behind your right ear and goes anti-clockwise, parallel to your hairline to your left ear. Once you reach your left ear, stop adding in hair but continue braiding and secure with a clear elastic at the end.

Start the second braid on the crown of your head, slightly to the left. You want to curve this braid clockwise around towards your right ear and then follow a line parallel to your lower hairline. Keep adding in all the remaining hair and braid until the end and secure with a clear elastic.

Braid styling tip: Stretch it out

To get your braids looking full, gently pull at the sides to loosen them. Start at the bottom of the braid, just above the elastic, and work back to the start to get a full, fat braid. Another tip is to start with large sections so you have more hair at the beginning of the braid, then take less hair in as you go to the end.

Next you want to hide the ends of the braid. Tuck the first braid under the second on the nape of your next and pin in place. If you put your bobby pin through the elastic it will help it stay in place.

Take the end of the second braid and use the to cover the part between the first and second braids. Put a bobby pin through the elastic and hide the end under the first braid.

My hair layered and past shoulder length (you can see my hair out here). You can adapt the angle and shape of these braids to suit your hair length. Even in short hair you can do the braid across the front of your hairline.

This hairstyle is easier in thick hair, but you’ll be amazed at the difference that stretching out your braids will make even in fine hair.

Have you tried stretching out your braids?

Filed Under: Braids, Hair Romance, Hair Style Advice, Tutorials

« Street style hair – big blonde curls
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Comments

  1. Angela says

    February 25, 2014 at 8:41 am

    Love this hair style! It’s so pretty! I would also love it if you made a video tutorial, as I’m having trouble visualizing what exactly I’m supposed to do.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      February 25, 2014 at 10:17 pm

      Hi Angela, that’s a great idea! I really need to start making more videos and this is top of the list x

      Reply
  2. Eydís Lilja says

    January 18, 2014 at 6:00 am

    You should post pic-tutorial or video on YouTube

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 18, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Thanks, that’s a great idea! x

      Reply
  3. Me in Florida says

    January 1, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Just so you know, it is counter clockwise, not “anti-clockwise”.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 2, 2014 at 11:05 am

      Thank you, but both are correct – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clockwise

      Reply
  4. Melodious says

    December 1, 2013 at 5:12 am

    I’d love to see a video of this hairstyle, as it’s very hard for me to figure out how to start the braid in such an odd spot…behind my right ear and going up toward my forehead?!?

    I’m a nurse, so I always want my hair up and out of the way of the messy things I deal with, but I get tired of wearing a pony or regular braids all the time. Thanks for your tips.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      December 2, 2013 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Melodius! I will definitely shoot a video of this style 🙂

      Reply
  5. Holly says

    July 23, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I’m new to trying all different braids to keep my long, thick hair up so I have a question. Is the ‘first braid’ the one that goes across the forehead like a headband to the other ear? In the video you link of your beachy Dutch braid it goes across the back of your head to the other ear.

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      July 24, 2013 at 3:28 am

      Hi Holly, the video is just to show the technique. This braid uses the same Dutch braid technique and you make two braids. You’re right, the first braid is like a headband from ear to ear that continues around behind your ear. The second starts at your crown and curves around in the opposite direction x

      Reply
  6. JG says

    June 14, 2013 at 1:38 am

    I really want to try this for my wedding next week! Is there a video anywhere? I’m on fail #5…

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      June 14, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Sorry no video but I’ve just emailed you some tips, hope it helps!

      Reply
  7. natasha says

    January 11, 2013 at 7:46 am

    I love this hairstyle! I tried it today and managed after the third try. I am gonna practice this Dutch braid. It is hard to program your brain to braid hair in reverse. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 11, 2013 at 8:05 am

      Thanks Natasha! I’m so pleased you tried it! Xx

      Reply
  8. Megan says

    January 1, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    I love this hairstyle and thank you so much for posting it! My only problem is (and always has been :P) figuring out how to braid the second braid (the one that goes across the forehead). I can’t tell if it’s just a normal braid that you then wrap around your forehead or if it a french that gradually goes across…

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      January 2, 2013 at 7:39 am

      Thanks Megan! It’s actually a Dutch braid (or inside out braid) which is a reverse of the French braid. It starts behind my right ear and braids across to my left ear and is pinned at the back. The trick is to S-T-R-E-T-C-H is out, a lot. Braid it tightly to begin with, and add in large sections at the start so the thickness is more uniform across your forehead. One it’s braided, gently pull at the sides of the braid to loosen it. This makes it look thicker and you can angle it to sit on your forehead. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  9. ittrat says

    October 25, 2012 at 4:11 am

    HI! i love ur hairstyle.plz upload a video too.thnx n love ur hair colour!fantastic!

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      October 25, 2012 at 8:39 am

      Thank you! Working on more videos to come soon x

      Reply
  10. maida says

    October 19, 2012 at 4:59 am

    nice hairstyle but dificult

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      October 19, 2012 at 9:24 am

      Thanks Maida, it’s a bit more complicated but once you get the hang of it, you’ll love it x

      Reply
  11. Teresa says

    July 13, 2012 at 9:09 am

    Beautiful hairstyle! XX Teresa

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      July 13, 2012 at 9:14 am

      Thanks Teresa!

      Reply
  12. Marie says

    June 1, 2012 at 12:57 am

    I love this braid!!! Also, thanx for the tip on stretching the braid out to make it look thicker. I tried to find a video on this but couldn’t. Did you post a video?

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      June 1, 2012 at 8:32 am

      Thanks Marie! I didn’t do a video but I probably should x

      Reply
  13. hairscapades says

    May 28, 2012 at 12:03 pm

    I LOVE this!! It is so pretty!! Definitely going to have to try it!!

    Shelli

    Reply
  14. bella says

    May 27, 2012 at 5:25 am

    that’s very pretty! Do you use any texturising products to get your hair to stay in the braid?

    Reply
    • Hair Romance says

      May 28, 2012 at 6:13 am

      Thanks Bella. My hair is not freshly washed and I used a smoothing serum to blowdry it the day before. If you have soft or slippery hair I recommend a texture product. Dry shampoo is good, as are styling powders or a texturising spray like evo Mr fantastic.

      Reply
  15. Connie says

    May 25, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I have been wondering how to get that look 🙂 I am going to try this on my slightly longer, thinner hair today and see how it goes

    Reply
  16. Margot Robartes says

    May 25, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    ohhhh that is such a wonderful style, i just love it!!!!

    Reply
  17. Jenn says

    May 24, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    Waow ! Gorgeous ! I’m trying it tomorrow of I have the time. I’m note quite sure to succeed, I never managed the loosen up part with this kind of updos. My hair just fall appart any time… 🙁

    Reply
  18. Sarah says

    May 24, 2012 at 10:43 am

    I want your hair color so bad it hurts.

    I love the braid.

    Reply
  19. Smileyfacegirl:D says

    May 24, 2012 at 8:33 am

    U r really pretty! 😀 u look like my friend Jeanette all grown up! 😀

    Reply
  20. Corinne says

    May 24, 2012 at 8:05 am

    Wow that looks amazing! You got some talent there 🙂

    Life Etc

    Reply
  21. On Stage Hair Design says

    May 24, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Your color looks fantastic in this braid! Plus, I’m super impressed with your braiding skills. It takes lots of talen to braid on yourself like that.

    onstagehair.blogspot.com

    Reply
  22. yojo says

    May 24, 2012 at 7:29 am

    wow!! your hair is so gorgeous!! i soo want to try that style, but when i try to braid my own hair, it gets really tiring as its hard to keep holding it all in place. I might ask my hairdresser to try though as i really like the style & always find it hard to find a picture that illustrates what i have in mind. Its good to know though that this style can be achieved with layers.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Christina and welcome to Hair Romance. Here you’ll find tutorials, tips and beauty advice to help you to love your best accessory: your hair.
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